Shoppers are turning their attention to what fans and players are reporting: Kick It Out recorded 203 homophobic incidents in the 2025/26 season, a 43% jump on the year before, and campaigners warn the game must act now to protect LGBTQ+ people at every level.

Essential Takeaways

  • Sharp increase: Kick It Out logged 203 homophobia reports in 2025/26, up 43% from 2024/25.
  • Youth alarm: Incidents in youth football rose about 90%, suggesting a worrying trend among younger players and spectators.
  • Wider hate links: Home Office and related data tie the rise to an overall spike in online and matchday hate crime.
  • Campaign response: Football v Homophobia and others urge senior figures and clubs to step up education, visibility and allyship.

Alarming numbers , what the 203 reports mean for the game

Kick It Out’s figure of 203 homophobic reports is stark, and it’s not just another statistic , it’s a sharp reflection of lived experience on terraces, in training grounds and online. The charity treats homophobia broadly, covering everything from individual slurs to organised chanting, so each report carries a different, often personal, sting. According to campaign groups, that total matches the sum of the last four seasons, signalling a rapid deterioration rather than a blip. For supporters and players who want football to feel inclusive, that sudden surge is a wake-up call.

Young players are bearing the brunt , why youth football matters

The most worrying slice of the data is youth football, where reports nearly doubled. Youth teams are where attitudes form and stick, so a 90% rise should prompt immediate intervention. Parents, coaches and leagues need fresh training on inclusive language and on-the-spot responses, not just posters. Practical steps include clear codes of conduct for youth matches, swift sanctions for offenders and accessible reporting routes so young people know their complaint will be taken seriously.

Politics, online abuse and matchday culture , the broader context

Campaigners have linked the jump to heightened political rhetoric and a parallel rise in online abuse, something echoed by Home Office summaries of recent seasons. Abuse that starts online often spills into stadiums, and vice versa, creating a feedback loop that normalises bigotry. Football v Homophobia and other groups argue that the game’s leadership must tackle both arenas , clubs can’t only police terraces; they must push back on coordinated online harassment and hostile public discourse too.

What clubs and role models can realistically do now

Influence matters in football. When managers, captains and clubs take visible stands , whether through education campaigns, the return of rainbow kit moments, or firm public rebukes , it changes atmosphere. Football v Homophobia has called for concrete commitments: better education, visible allyship and senior leaders stepping up. Clubs should pair messaging with policies: mandatory inclusion workshops for staff, clearer sanctions for discriminatory chanting, and better support for victims. Fans themselves can help by reporting incidents promptly and by calling out abuse in the moment when it’s safe to do so.

Reporting, resources and everyday actions that help

Reporting channels exist, but they need to be easy and trusted. Kick It Out and Football v Homophobia have been building reporting relationships with clubs and leagues to make that process smoother. That matters because a higher report rate can mean people feel more confident to speak up, not just that abuse is increasing. If you’re at a match and hear homophobic chanting, report it through the club app or stewards, and if you’re a parent or coach, teach young players how to report and support peers. Small, consistent actions build a safer culture.

It's a small change that can make every matchday feel a bit more welcoming.

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